The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Pova 4 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into every aspect, from display and performance to camera and battery life.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Tecno Pova 4 Pro thanks to its superior display brightness, excellent battery life, and slightly more refined software experience. While the Pova 4 Pro boasts faster charging, the Redmi Note 12 provides a more well-rounded package for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 10 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 10 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 77 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.66 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, HIOS | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) | - |
| Features | Dual LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fluorite Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | LG8n | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | - | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Tecno Pova 4 Pro
- Faster Charging (45W)
- Larger Display
- Potentially better gaming performance (Helio G99)
- Lower Display Brightness
- Less Efficient Battery
- Potentially less refined software
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Brighter Display (706 nits)
- Exceptional Battery Life (101h Endurance)
- Refined Software Experience
- Good Value
- Slower Charging (33W)
- Potentially less powerful for demanding games
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, offering significantly better visibility in sunlight compared to the Pova 4 Pro. While both have large displays, the Redmi Note 12's contrast ratio (infinite nominal) suggests deeper blacks and richer colors. The Pova 4 Pro's display is adequate, but lacks the vibrancy and brightness of the Redmi Note 12.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a close call. Both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions. The Redmi Note 12 likely has better image processing and potentially more advanced features. Detailed camera tests are needed for a definitive verdict, but the Redmi Note 12 is expected to perform slightly better overall.
Performance
The Tecno Pova 4 Pro's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset offers a slight edge in raw gaming performance due to its slightly higher clock speeds on some cores. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is efficient and provides a smooth experience for everyday tasks. Real-world performance is likely to be similar for most users.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 101 hours and an active use score of 10:58 hours. The Tecno Pova 4 Pro, while having a large battery, doesn't match the Redmi Note 12's efficiency. The Pova 4 Pro's 45W charging is faster, but the Redmi Note 12's longevity is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Pova 4 Pro is ideal for gamers and power users who prioritize fast charging and a large display. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a better choice for everyday users who value a vibrant display, long battery life, and a smooth, reliable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Tecno Pova 4 Pro's Helio G99 chipset might offer a slight edge in demanding games, but both phones provide a decent gaming experience.
❓ How does the charging speed compare?
The Tecno Pova 4 Pro charges faster with its 45W wired charging, while the Redmi Note 12 offers 33W charging.
❓ Which phone has better software?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 generally offers a more refined and user-friendly software experience.
